60th Cherry Blossom Festival Contestant
Shiho Matsutaka
Parents: Yukiko Matsutaka
High School: Kaimuki High School, 2004
College: University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2007
Degree: Bachelor of Secondary Education in Japanese
Occupation: Teacher
Ambitions: To ‘plant a seed’ in children’s heart to love the Japanese language and culture, and to always learn and grow with students to be a better teacher and a person.
Interests: Going to church, watching Japanese dramas, eating food, playing tennis for fun, collecting Japanese items to share to children.
The Japanese language, culture, values, and traditions must be modeled, taught, and passed on by the previous generation. As a Nisei Japanese-American, my Issei parents were very strict with ‘Aisatsu – Greetings’. Saying ‘Hello,’ ‘I’m sorry,’ or ‘Thank you’ always came with a nod or a bow. ‘Itadakimasu’ and ‘Gochisousamadeshita’ were always said before and after eating a meal to thank the person who prepared it. ‘Yoroshikuonegaishimasu’ was said to show courtesy towards another person when meeting for the first time. Thus, Aisatsu, aform of respect highly valued in Japan, is the Japanese tradition that I value most. Aisatsu starts a ‘kizuna – bond’ between two parties as they recognize each other through words and gestures. Just as my parents taught me the importance of ‘Aisatsu,’ a tradition embodying the ‘heart of the Japanese,’ I believe it should not be forgotten and be passed on to the next generation.